ALBION are ready to resume their interest in John Carew – who is expected to be granted a move after Darren Bent‘s big-money switch to Villa Park from Sunderland.

The Baggies have been keen on Carew for some time and were close to securing him two weeks ago, only for the move to be shelved by Villa.

Gerard Houllier kept him back after Emile Heskey was handed a three-match ban for the straight red card he picked up in the 1-0 defeat at Sunderland on January 5.

Carew was pitched into Sunday’s Second City derby due to Heskey’s absence and Ashley Young’s one-match suspension.

But with Bent set to be unveiled as a Villa player today, it will free up Carew.

Albion agreed most of the terms before Heskey’s dismissal so the move should be straightforward, provided nothing has changed.

Carew is keen to resume his career following a faltering spell at Villa Park since Houllier’s arrival.

He and Houllier fell out when they were both at Lyon.

Carew was always likely to be on borrowed time when the duo were reunited in the summer.

Meanwhile, Chris Brunt believes Peter Odemwingie can take great confidence from his brace against Blackpool.

Albion head to Blackburn on Sunday hoping to avenge their 3-1 defeat from last month, which was one of their worst displays of the campaign.

The Baggies will go to Ewood Park with renewed zest, not least leading scorer Odemwingie, who looked back to his best against the Seasiders after returning from a series of injury problems, which have blighted him over the recent weeks.